Throwing in the Towel

After some consideration I have decided to withdraw Colwyn Bay Goods from the GJLC. Due to personal reasons, I can not complete the layout to a standard where I would be happy with by July.

Thanks to everyone who followed the thread and gave up time to help with research and construction advice. The layout with go into storage and I hope to have another attempt over the coming winter months.

Bricking it.

The public viewing side of the goods shed.

Slow progress is happening with the goods shed, final details have been added and everything given a coat of grey primer. Once this had been given a day or so to set properly it was given a base coat of orange with a wet water colour pencil and left to dry. Later that day the whole structure was rubbed over with dry water colour pencils in various shades of red. I'm quite pleased with the outcome, but it requires touching up in places to tone down the separate pen strokes.

Laying Tracks

Track electrical feeds

For electrical connections I am using the brass sleepers and brass dress makers pins. I've never been a fan of soldering wires to rails, so this is a nice little alternative.

I have decided to use the standard Tortoise point motor with the Exactoscale adaptor base, then some how find a way of fixing it to the Easitrac points.

Top view of TOU

I'm quite pleased with how it's come out, a nice improvement on my previous PCB versions. A few things have been sorted out in this image; the top switch blade now does not over hang the sleeper and the second plastic sleeper from the left his been fixed down properly. I struggle to see these things when on the layout, so the camera does have it's uses after all. Below, I will try and explain how this was finally achieved.

Underside view of TOU


Control Arms

The two vertical brass tubes can be moved along the plastic slider bar to adjust the final rest position of the switch blades and the brass tubes telescope inside of each other to suit the depth of your baseboards. The adjustable components allow the switch blades to just gently touch the stock rail, this reduces wear and tear in the long run. The dropper wires are a snug fit in the tube (.3mm ID tube with .288mm dia wire) and is not soldered or glued, this stops any twisting of switch blade tips when throwing the points over. Both switch rails are individually adjustable, to make up for any misalignment when fixing the Exactocale base to the baseboard. Trying to put screws into wood to an accuracy of 5 thou can be a bit tricky at times.

Switch rail with dropper wire

Above is a switch blade shown upside down with a .28 PB wire dropper soldered to it. The wire is first soldered along the foot of the rail for extra strength and the bent outwards and under the stock rail of the turnout (this piece will keep the tip of the switch blade the same height as the adjacent fixed rail). Then after the next bend, the long tail piece will thread downwards into the baseboard and into the brass tubes mounted on the exactoscale operating arm below.

Colwyn Bay Scenic Structures

A sleeper and "I" section fence for the rear of the coal yard, which is almost 3 feet long.

The green shed, still requiring a green wash and window frames.


The layers are slowly being built up on the main goods shed.

The pictures above are pretty much self explanatory, just a quick refresh to show the overall progress of the project.

3-way Asymmetric Turnout

My previous RH turnout along side the new 3-way.

A mock up to test the final track position.

The wheels of progress continue to turn on Colwyn Bay. Track work is ready to be glued into it's final place, Tortoise motors have been purchased and a shiny new DCC system is on it's way. New plans for a fiddle yard have been drawn up and scenics are just over the horizon.

On the Right Track

RH A6 Turnout from Easitrac Components

After another career move, the dust has once again settled and progress continues. I have finally started work on my turnouts, I can not praise these products highly enough! The results are consistent and crisp, thanks to some very clever jigs provided. Future updates will be along shortly as the 3 way point progresses.

1/120 21T Mineral Wagons

The new 21T minteral from Stephen Harris

As a change from layout building, I've broke out the soldering supplies and produced the above. Now available through the advert in the current Association Magazine. I have decided to build the 1/120 diagram version with the self adjusting brake set up.

As with the 16T variation of this kit, all parts fall into place and a single kit can be assembled in an evening or two. Everything is included within in the kit, with the exception of wheels, bearings, buffers and .33 wire.

While stocks last etc.

A Long Over Due Update

Card Formers Used in Trial

Where has the time gone? I've been putting off an update until I had completed another section, I have started a few bits and pieces though. Recently I have been; working away on my rake of TTAs, working on the goods shed, experimenting with track, making the first coal bagging hopper and designing etches.

A Test Point Constructed with Etched Chairs

On the track front there has been a lot going on, mostly with tests for the 3 way point nearest the fiddle yard. Mock ups have been made using PCB sleepers and bullhead rail and all seem to work in concept. The image above shows a trial with etched chair plates, this is a great improvement and work has been put on hold until Easitrac points are available and that option also tried.

The Coal Bagging Hopper

Constructed from 5thou plasticard and mircostrip, the hopper has come out well. Etches are being drawn up to create another seven required for the layout.

Colwyn Bay Goods Shed

As can be seen above, the goods shed is taking shape and etches have been drawn up for windows and doors. The roof has been started using ration sheets, but I'm not too happy with the overall effect.

All aboard

A quick shot of the completed baseboard

Well, the first major step has been taken. The top is 9mm birch ply and a double wall 12mm frame around this (more infomation on this when I get to point motors and electrics). Next to a a few scenic items, there is little else to report. The next step is track and that 3 way point...

Tea? Tea, aye...

The new Farish TTA with chassis modifications.

As stated at the beginning of this blog, I am a fan of the new TTA with the exception of the strange appearance of the W-irons. So, here is a test show of the proposed solution.

You will need;

2mm Association
2-482 5'0" 13 leaf spring with L.H. & roller bearing axle box
2-351 Wagon chassis etch - 12' 0" w/b 21'0" long for Parkside kits
Plus wheels, top hats etc.

TPM
1823 Alternative catwalk for Peco 45t tank (Different etch shown)

You will have to;

- Dismantle the entire wagon.
- Discard catwalk, coupling pockets and axles.
- Remove chassis details, rigging/brake shoes (keep safe).
- Widen slots where brakes once sat, to accept W irons. Using a flat file, file towards the outside of the wagon.
- Machine off W irons, leaving the leaf hangers
- W irons are cut from the etched chassis. Fit flush with top of sole bar, fill/ sand.
- Refit brake shoes and rigging.
- Cut leaf hangers from white metal castings, glue to new W irons.
- Fit catwalk as per instructions.

... easy, he says. I have tried fitting the springs in two ways, what's your opinion? Left or Right?

... carry on.

The start of the goods shed

I'm glad that's over and done with! I've now settled into my new place and the modelling gear has come out. Having put off the main structure I decided to jump straight in before I cover the work area in wagon kits again.

I've decided to model the main shell from 30thou plasticard and covering with brick embossed plastic sheets. I was tempted to go the paper route but the complex brick work on the main shed made me go with what I know best. Etched window frames from the Ratio range will be used.

No real progress has been made, the Templot print out is back on the dining table and little card structures are popping up to give a sense of scale. Hopefully I can then decide on baseboard dimensions.

ON HOLD

Stephen Harris 16T kits

The title says it all. Due to a change in career, I'm also moving house. As we all know this does tend to eat into modelling time. For now I will leave you with a quick shot of a rake of 16T minerals I have been building for the layout. Designed and sold by Stephen Harris, these have to be the most straight forward etched kit money can buy. Each kit can be made to the above stage in one evenings work. Fantastic bit of etching.

Cut n' Shut Outcome

Motor fitted, wiring to complete.

Finally, I have dug deep and brought that digital camera I've needed for the last 4 years. Which means I can start pestering you all with images of half finished models again.


On the class 25 front there is progress, the motor is in and runs... not great but tweaks and running in is still needed. Work carried out as described before, the motor is supported on it's on armature and is stopped from rotating by a snug fitment in the milled slot within the plastic chassis moulding.

Cut n' Shut

Since moving house 2 years ago, the old Proxxon miller has been gathering dust... until this evening. Tonight's victim, the class 25 chassis. I've considered replacing this with the new BachFar offering, but why waste the old one? After rummaging around I had found a Mashima 9/18 motor which was purchased many years back, a few 12BA screws and a length of brass bar (2x5mm approx.).

The plan is to simply(?) to remove the existing armature, mill out the chassis block and insert the Mashima. After running over the chassis bock with the calipers it was soon apparent there wouldn't be much left after fitting the motor, so a brass spine would have to be provided.

So far, the chassis has been machined ready for the motor and the spine bolted to the top of the block. More machining is require to clear the new motor's armature...

... but it's late and the miller/hoover combination is keeping the neighbours up. To be continued.

Back From The Drawing Board

Templot Screen Dump

After purchasing Templot (www.templot.com) earlier this year, I have been running through a few tutorials to try pick it up. Above is Mk 1 for the layout plan, simply two B6 RH turnouts and a 3 way tandem. Simply not being the optimum word here.

Thanks to printing this out full size I have a better feel for how big the layout will actually be, I had feared the point work would cause the sidings to be too small, but the coal wharf can still handle 12 16T minerals and a class 25. Result.

The fiddle yard has also been drawn out, but I'll save you from a few dull lines and leave it there for now.

Rolling Stock

The above is image, you've most likely seen before. It's been in this state for 4 years, the chassis has actually seized. Great...

Currently running on the old school GraFar chassis, I am considering purchasing the new BachFar model and using it's chassis on turned down wheels. I can't see this being a problem as they still use the original body shell (please correct me if I'm wrong, it could be a costly mistake).

Also in the gloat box is a Worsley Works class 24 etch, but sadly I can't see this being completed in time for the competition.

On the wagon side of things, I have been building up 3 of the initial of Stephen Harris' 16T minerals. These are excellent little kits and go together with ease (thanks to the use of the dowel/tab location style assembly). If all goes to plan I'll have a few more of the 16T variations and the 21T(?) version.

I'm still not sure on which route to follow for the TTA tank wagons; Peco or Bachmann? Both require TPM's (http://www.tpmodels.co.uk/) walkway etch and repaints. The main down fall of the Bachmann chassis is the fact they have made the w-irons flush with the outer edge of the sole bar, giving it a strange overall look. An option would be to replace these with Association etches and white metal axle boxes and springs. Otherwise, these are great little models. The Peco model, which a little cruder, dose seem to have a better "feel" about it. Yet requires more detailing. Etched chassis anyone?

Other items built include the Association (http://www.2mm.org.uk/) 20T brake van and SH Dogfish wagon. If time permits, I would like to make a small rake of PW stock which could be stored in the yard ready for use at the weekend/evening.

Image - Grahame Hedges

The Prototype

The goods yard at Colwyn Bay was build in the early part of the 20th century and remained in service until the early 80s. I plan to model the yard towards the end of it's life, with the coal and oil deliveries still making a regular showing.

The above plan shows the yard in it's final state, before being lifted during the construction of the A55 Expressway. The goods shed has been separated from the railway and it's through road lifted. The shed is now a privately owned property.

The coal yard at this time was still taking deliveries by means of standard mineral wagons and the oil via TTA tank formations. The majority of these trains were headed up by class 24s and 25s.

My research is still in it's early days, so I shall report my findings as they happen. So I will leave you with a link to the excellent 2D53;

http://www.2d53.co.uk/colwynbay/Goods.htm

In the beginning...

... there wasn't very much, to be honest, there isn't much to report currently. A few weeks back I decided to build a shunting plank for my first attempt at modelling to the 2mm Association's standards. Not long after the 2mm layout challenge was mentioned to myself by Andy Morris, so I thought to myself "Why not... I'll have a go". Famous last words.